Chitchat Privacy Policy

Who is responsible

Data controller: Matthew Bilella, trading as Bilella Works, United Kingdom. For privacy questions and requests, email bilellaworks@gmail.com.

What this policy covers

This policy covers the current Chitchat development and beta builds for Mac, iPhone and iPad, their optional iCloud library, support and this website. The app is not yet available on the App Store. It has no Bilella Works account or Bilella Works server for your recording library.

Recordings and information on your device

Chitchat saves microphone audio, recording dates, durations, titles, original transcripts, cleaned text and recording or processing issues in its local library. Text you enter into Tidy pasted text is also saved. Mac Meetings can save a separate application or system-audio recording, which may include other apps' sounds. iPhone and iPad record microphone audio only. The app does not save screen video.

These records provide recording, playback, transcription, search, cleanup, retry and recovery. Appearance, shortcut and sync choices are stored locally. Your operating-system backup settings may include this data in a device backup.

On-device speech and text processing

Final transcription uses Apple's on-device speech models. Optional live transcription also requests on-device recognition. Cleanup and generated titles use Apple's on-device Foundation Models framework. The app does not send recordings or transcripts to a Bilella Works AI service or a third-party AI API. Apple may download the required models to your device. Supported languages, device eligibility and enabled system settings determine which features are available.

Generated text can contain mistakes. Original audio and text remain available for review. These features edit text; they do not make decisions about you with legal or similarly significant effects.

Optional iCloud library

iCloud library is off by default. If you enable it, Chitchat uploads recordings, transcripts, cleaned text, titles, dates, durations and associated entry or sync metadata to a private CloudKit database in your Apple Account. That lets your devices share the library. Audio can upload separately from text and is downloaded to another device when you request it.

Apple operates iCloud under its own terms and privacy policy. The app uses your Apple Account's CloudKit identity to keep libraries associated with the correct account; it does not ask for or receive your Apple Account password. Turning iCloud library off stops future sync requests, but does not erase data already uploaded and may not cancel a request already sent. See Apple's Privacy Policy.

Clipboard, sharing and permissions

After a successful dictation cleanup, Chitchat can write the cleaned text to the system clipboard. It checks whether the clipboard changed rather than reading its contents automatically. You may also copy text or use the system share sheet yourself. Clipboard contents may be available to other apps or Apple's Universal Clipboard according to your system settings; chosen share destinations handle received text under their own policies.

Microphone and speech permissions support recording and transcription. Mac meeting audio needs the relevant system recording permission. Optional Globe/Fn shortcut support uses Accessibility access to detect that key, and the ready panel can observe the paste shortcut to dismiss itself. These key events are not retained as a typing history or sent to Bilella Works. You can change permissions in system settings.

Retention and deletion in this build

Library records remain until you remove them. Delete is not permanent erasure in the current build: it hides an entry from the normal library and syncs a deletion marker. The hidden record can still contain its original and cleaned text. Local audio, iCloud audio and conflict or recovery copies are retained; this build has no in-app permanent-erasure control.

Removing the app or local app data does not necessarily remove device backups or the iCloud library. Turning sync off does not delete either. Contact support if you need help identifying the copies held by your devices and Apple; Bilella Works cannot remotely erase a private library from your device. Do not use this development build for information that requires a guaranteed erasure schedule.

Advertising, analytics and tracking

Chitchat contains no advertising, third-party analytics SDK, tracking SDK or third-party crash-reporting SDK. The app does not sell recordings or use them for advertising. Apple may separately handle system diagnostics according to your Apple settings and its privacy terms.

TestFlight beta testing

If you install a beta through TestFlight, Apple automatically collects crash logs and usage information and shares it with the developer. This can include device and system details, sessions and installation information, and may include your name or email depending on the invitation. Feedback you choose to submit can include comments and screenshots.

Bilella Works uses this information to investigate faults and improve Chitchat, not for marketing, and keeps any working copies only as long as needed to resolve the reported issue or a related legal obligation. Apple controls the records retained in TestFlight. Review screenshots and feedback before sending private material. Read TestFlight & Privacy for Apple's handling and retention.

If you contact support

Emailing support is optional. We receive your email address, any displayed name, your message and attachments or diagnostic details you choose to send. The app does not automatically email your recordings or transcripts. We use this information to answer you and investigate problems. Without a contact address or enough detail, we may not be able to reply or investigate.

Normal support correspondence is deleted from the support mailbox within 12 months after the last contact, following the existing Bilella Works support policy. Relevant information may be kept longer while an active complaint, security incident, legal claim or legal obligation requires it. Provider backups may take additional time to expire.

Our lawful bases

We rely on legitimate interests to answer support, investigate beta issues and maintain a secure website. We rely on legal obligation where records must be kept or disclosed by law. Support and beta information are not used for advertising. The app processes your recording library locally and uses the optional iCloud service you enable.

Service providers and this website

Apple provides optional iCloud and TestFlight services. Optional support email uses Gmail by Google. Cloudflare delivers and protects this website and receives technical request information such as your IP address, page request, browser headers and request time. The site has no visitor accounts, advertising or visitor analytics. We do not combine website requests with your recording library.

Read Google's Privacy Policy and Cloudflare's Privacy Policy. We may disclose support information to professional advisers or authorities where reasonably necessary to comply with law, defend rights or prevent harm. These providers operate internationally; where a restricted transfer applies, an applicable UK adequacy rule or other permitted safeguard is required. Contact us for details relevant to your request.

Your privacy rights

Depending on the circumstances, you may request access, correction, deletion, restriction or portability of personal information held by Bilella Works. Contact bilellaworks@gmail.com; we may need enough information to verify your identity. These rights apply to support and beta information we hold. Apple manages its own records and your private iCloud service.

Right to object: you may object to processing based on legitimate interests by contacting the same address.

You can also complain to the UK Information Commissioner's Office through the ICO complaint page.

Changes to this policy

We will update this policy when the app or support service changes how information is handled. The effective date identifies this version.